Equestrian season ends at NCEA Nationals

WACO, Texas – A day after earning the first two wins in South Dakota State equestrian history at NCEA Nationals, both the Jackrabbit western and hunt seat teams bowed out of the national event with losses in the second round.

The No. 7 seed western squad fell to No. 2 seed Kansas State 8-0, while the No. 12 seed hunt seat team fell by the same 8-0 score to No. 4 seed Auburn.

“Even though we didn't make it past the quarterfinals, it was a hugely successful championship for SDSU,” head coach Megan Rossiter said. “We took a big step as a program this season and I look forward to building on that success next season.”

“I couldn’t be more proud of the girls, they rode hard every step in the arena, gave all they had and I couldn’t ask for more,” Brown said. “Auburn is a really good, tough team, and it only makes us better to ride against the best of the best. We look forward to next season.”

The losses mark an end to a season that not only saw SDSU earn its first-ever win at nationals, but also saw the Jackrabbits earn their first-ever national ranking during the season, when the Jacks rose as high as ninth in the national standings.